James Gunn on Superman casting rumors: "Only one person has been CAST"

The full text of Gunn's tweet reads:

For all of you asking, I would never comment on who is or isn't AUDITIONING for a role. That's the actor's business only & isn't something I'd make public unless they did it first after the fact (like @GlennHowerton or @ZacharyLevi having auditioned for Star-Lord & being top choices). For now, only one person has been CAST in Superman: Legacy, and it isn't any of the regular players in the Superman world.

Interestingly, Gunn adds a merman emoji at the end. Now, this could mean nothing and just a funny way to close the tweet. But like his contemporary filmmaker Zack Snyder, Gunn will often add cryptic messages, hinting at what's going on behind the scenes. Could this emoji actually be referring to the role that Gunn states has been cast and "isn't any of the regular players in the Superman world?" If so, who could it be?

One theory is that it is Aquaman. In the DC Extended Universe, that role is played by actor Jason Momoa who is set to return in Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom. And it has been suggested that Momoa might be one of the few who will retain his DC Universe role, once the reboot after The Flash movie happens. Perhaps this is a subtle way of suggesting Momoa will cameo in Superman: Legacy?

Another theory is it is Lori Lemaris. Hailing from the Silver Age, Lori Lemaris is a mermaid that had a romantic relationship with Clark Kent in his early years just prior to or soon after he adopted the Superman persona. In her DC Comics appearances, Lori would be forced to leave or in some cases perish, essentially becoming the "one that got away" when it comes to Clark's love interests.

Given that James Gunn confirmed that this is not an origin story but Clark Kent in his early days as a reporter for the Daily Planet and already established a short career as Superman, Lori Lemaris might not be a far-off theory. It would certainly bring something new to the live action version of the Man of Steel that has not been explored before.

While DC Comics fans are looking at every bit of news regarding who will replace Henry Cavill as the Last Son of Krypton, for now

the only DC Studios project definitively cast

is Creature Commandos.

Superman: Legacy, the official beginning of the rebooted DC Universe, is currently targeted for a theatrical release on July 11, 2025.